Flower Bomber strikes in St. Cloud

Minneapolis-based artist David Cook stands next to his flowers. Cook, known as “the Flower Bomber,” plans to move the flowers to a St. Cloud park Friday.
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Dave Schwarz, dschwarz@stcloudtimes.com
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Minneapolis-based artist David Cook is the man behind the brightly colored public art that's been popping up all over the country.

Cook placed nine vibrant flowers in a line along the sidewalk at Minnesota Highway 23 and 14th Avenue in St. Cloud on Thursday morning.

Cook said he started the project about two years ago. Since then he's set up the cardboard and wood-based sculptures covered with brightly-colored Duck Tape in random public places.

Cook's motivation? Just to see the look on your face.

"People smile. It brightens up their day. It's a simple art form. You don't have to figure it out, it's just a reaction," Cook said.

Cook's flowers have been set up on beaches in Florida and in parks and public areas in Minneapolis. He's hoping to get funding to take the display on the road, possibly on Route 66 in the Southwest.

The flowers are usually placed in the morning. Cook spends some of the day watching for reactions. At the end of the day, the flowers are removed from their stakes and transported to the next location.

After Thursday's display in St. Cloud, Cook planned to talk to St. Cloud park officials and find a location for the flowers on Friday.

Follow Photo Editor Dave Schwarz on Twitter @dschwarzphoto.

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Brightly-colored flowers are placed at the intersection of Hwy 23 and 14th Ave in St. Cloud Thursday.(Photo: Dave Schwarz, dschwarz@stcloudtimes.com)